Recipe: Mendocino Frittata (potatoes, peppers, goat cheese, and cherry tomatoes)

MENDOCINO FRITTATA

9 eggs
2 tablespoons minced parsley
1/4 cup grated dry cheese (such as parmesan, dry Asiago or dry Jack)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/4 cups cubed (3/4 -inch) cooked peeled potatoes (1 large russet)
3/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper (1 pepper)
2/3 cup finely chopped green onions
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 ounces goat cheese, cut into small cubes or thin slices
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1/4 cup roasted garlic,* sliced in half

Beat the eggs with the parsley, dry cheese, salt and freshly ground pepper. Set aside.

. Heat a large ovenproof saute pan, add olive oil and potatoes and cook over medium heat until potatoes are well browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.

Add the peppers and saute until soft, about 1 minute.

Add the green onions, cook until limp.

Add the thyme. Sprinkle cayenne pepper over the vegetables and stir to distribute.

Turn on the broiler at this point.

Turn up the heat under the saute pan and add the egg mixture. Immediately turn the heat down to medium low. Quickly arrange the goat cheese, cherry tomatoes and roasted garlic evenly over the surface. Cook slowly until the edges are set. Lift the edges so that uncooked egg can run underneath, and repeat this a couple of times during the next 5 minutes or so. Peek underneath and make sure the bottom isn't browning too quickly; if it is, reduce the heat.

When the top is set and still moist, place the pan under the broiler until the top is lightly browned, 45 to 60 seconds.

Slide the frittata onto a warmed dish and cut it into wedges.

*TO ROAST THE GARLIC:
Place about 12 peeled cloves of garlic in a saucepan and cover them with water. Simmer until they can be easily pierced with the tip of a knife, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain well. Coat the cloves with a generous amount of olive oil, about 2 tablespoons, and bake at 325 degrees until well browned, 25 to 35 minutes. Store in the refrigerator.

Servings: 8
Source: Morning Food: Breakfasts, Brunches, and More for Savoring the Best Part of the Day by Margaret S. Fox and John B. Bear